CWG Aug 31 deadline may be extended: Reddy

Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy Thursday acknowledged that the final deadline of Aug 31 for completion of all Commonwealth Games related projects may not be met, but assured that everything is now "under control".

Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy Thursday acknowledged that the final deadline of Aug 31 for completion of all Commonwealth Games related projects may not be met, but assured that everything is now "under control".

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Emerging from the Group of Ministers (GoM) meet on the Games, which he heads, Reddy said that incessant rains in the capital had led to delay in completion of some of the projects.

However, he maintained that "we are in complete control of the Games".

The GoM meeting was attended, among others, by Sports Minister M.S. Gill, Tourism Minister Kumari Selja, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, cabinet secretary K.M. Chandrashekhar and Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna.

The GoM discussed the opening and closing ceremonies in detail besides broadcasting of the Oct 3-14 Games by Doordarshan.

Kalmadi, after the meeting, said: "The opening and closing ceremonies were discussed, besides the electrical connectivity at the venues. Other overlays were also discussed."

He said Rs.1.75 crore has also been cleared to help the Indian Weightlifting Federation pay a doping fine to the International Weightlifting Federation, a move that will facilitate the Indian lifters' participation in the Commonwealth Games.